does a newly born kitten need/use a cat bed?
Thursday, January 21st, 2010 at
3:54 pm
im getting a kitten soon and he will be very young and i have been told that he wont use a cat bed if i get one for him, is this true? coz he will be nervous about his new house but playful as he is a young kitten (and a male, they are usually more playful) i have got other ensetials, like a blanket, toys food etc…this is my first cat, so anyone out there who can help? thanks xxx
Filed under: Cat Bed
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I have always used a small box, preferably one with higher sides, it makes them feel safer. Cat don’t need beds.
Also, don’t take the kitten until he is at least 8 weeks old. Sounds like you are getting him from someone you know who had kittens. Let it stay with the mother and other kittens until 8 weeks old, he needs time to learn how to be a kitten and learn "kitten manners".
Learn about taking care of a kitten:
http://www.catsofaustralia.com/care-new-kitten.htm
the first couple of days you should keep him in a small room, with food, water, litter box, bed.. just because he may hid because he is scared.. than once he is used to you, you should let him around the house. he will probably sleep with you on the bed, so a cat bed really isn’t necessary… just my opinion.
My cats have always slept on their beds since kitten age. I would start out by putting their bed on or near my pillow, and they would always be there the next morning when I woke up. As they got older, I moved it off my bed and to where they slept most often- which is at my feet by the computer desk, lol.
It’s definitely not a requirement for a cat, but it’s a nice luxury for them!
Good luck with your new baby.
my cats have never slept on a bed and even in clinics i have worked at they dont require cats to have beds just dogs.one thing i would suggest is a box my chance loves his boxes maybe at the most line it with newspaper cause cats love the feel of paper but a cat bet is not necassary
my cats have never slept in a cat bed. they sleep all over my furniture and in bed with me.
my mom’s chihuahua on the other hand loves his cat beds. he has three. he is a little spoiled dog though.
Cats , especially scared ones, like little enclosed spaces, makes them feel more secure.
We kept the kittens in the bathroom (kitty proofed of course) for their first nights with us. Too much space is a bad thing for kittens or distressed cats.
Also one of those kitty condos, or even a cardboard box they can easily get in and out of but has that ‘fort’ like feel for them will be good.
good luck and enjoy your new buddy!
Want to reiterate what someone else said: Make sure the kitten is 8 weeks old before being taken from their litter. Otherwise they can have lots of problems, especially behaviour problems.
the first couple of days you should keep him in a small room, with food, water, litter box, bed.. just because he may hid because he is scared.. than once he is used to you, you should let him around the house. he will probably sleep with you on the bed, so a cat bed really isn’t necessary. but keep him with you just you ok . good luck with your baby . have a good weekend . -B-
What people have said about a small room is really true. If you just bring it in the house and let It have the run of the whole house, it will become terrified and bolt.
We have used a carrier (plastic, dog size, with a metal gate, )and left the cat in It for the first 24 hours.
After that, a Kitty bed is a sweet idea, and many cats will use one, butt ultimately- cat sleeps where Cat wants ’cause he is cat!
Good luck with your new kitty – bet you will find It a friend as much as a pet.
I had a cute woven basket and put a pillow in it for my cat when I first brought it home. He never slept in it unless I put some of his toys in it. Mostly he slept wherever he was when he got sleepy. Don’t bother buying a cat a bed, it will find the strangest places to sleep–including on your head and back, or between your legs so you can’t turn over without waking it up!
When I first brought my cat home from the shelter I took her directly to her cute little cat bed that I had so lovingly purchased for her the day before. She did sleep in it for quite some time while she was still very small and timid. After she got a little bigger and much more confident that idea went all to heck. She’s the queen bee and sleeps where and when she wants to. I’m sure your little boy baby would love a cozy little spot to sleep while he’s still small, but I wouldn’t spend much money on a fancy bed like I did. Just a small box and a cozy blanket will do the job.